To address the biodiversity and climate crises, we must commit to protecting the ocean

The author asserts that the ocean is a critical life support system currently under-protected, with only 7% under any protection and 3% highly protected. The text emphasizes that protecting habitats like seagrass beds and mangroves can sequester carbon dioxide up to five times faster than tropical forests. It calls for a new treaty to manage the high seas and urges countries to join the 'Blue Leaders' campaign and commit to the 30% protection target at upcoming 2022 events, including CoP15 and the UN Ocean Conference.

• Current levels of ocean protection are insufficient, with only 7% of the world's ocean under any protection and only 3% classified as highly protected.
• The ocean's capacity for carbon sequestration is significant; restoring habitats such as mangroves, salt marshes, and seagrass beds can capture carbon dioxide at rates up to five times higher than those of tropical forests.
• To ensure global ocean health and resilience, scientists recommend that at least 30% of marine waters be designated as fully or highly protected sanctuaries by 2030, specifically excluding damaging activities like seabed mining and bottom trawl fishing.
• There is currently no legal mechanism to establish fully protected marine areas in the high seas and deep seabed areas, which comprise nearly two-thirds of the global ocean.
• The 'Blue Leaders' campaign advocates for countries to adopt international treaties for ocean protection, targeting key 2022 events such as the UN Ocean Conference in Lisbon and CoP15 in Kunming.

APA

Van Quickenborne, V. (2022). To address the biodiversity and climate crises, we must commit to protecting the ocean. World Economic Forum. https://www.weforum.org/stories/nature-and-biodiversity/to-address-the-biodiversity-and-climate-crises-we-must-commit-to-protecting-the-ocean/

Chicago

Van Quickenborne, Vincent. To address the biodiversity and climate crises, we must commit to protecting the ocean. World Economic Forum, 2022. https://www.weforum.org/stories/nature-and-biodiversity/to-address-the-biodiversity-and-climate-crises-we-must-commit-to-protecting-the-ocean/.

Wikipedia

{{cite press release |last1=Van Quickenborne |first1=Vincent |title=To address the biodiversity and climate crises, we must commit to protecting the ocean |publisher=World Economic Forum |date=5 May 2022 |url=https://www.weforum.org/stories/nature-and-biodiversity/to-address-the-biodiversity-and-climate-crises-we-must-commit-to-protecting-the-ocean/ |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@misc{vanquickenborne2022address, author = {Van Quickenborne, Vincent}, title = {{To address the biodiversity and climate crises, we must commit to protecting the ocean}}, publisher = {World Economic Forum}, year = {2022}, month = may, url = {https://www.weforum.org/stories/nature-and-biodiversity/to-address-the-biodiversity-and-climate-crises-we-must-commit-to-protecting-the-ocean/}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }